Rosca Horsemanship

06/06/2026

After a break from under-saddle training during the latter half of last year, a recent session with Rhubarb shows us working on parking exercises from a distance at our rustic mounting block, before a few mounting exercises with the addition of positive reinforcement, all aspects which we are revisiting and consolidating.

Consistency with horses, that is, the predictability, regularity and reliability of how we do things and what they expect, is fundamental to successful education and associated interactions.

Consistency can be maintained within consistency itself; instead of introducing new tasks at the risk of fractured learning, we can still keep consistent by progressing and refining within areas that are already a known.

The past few sessions have focused on exactly this as we progress towards a return to riding over the Summer months.

A few things about this video; how quiet and non-eventful it is, and how peaceful the sounds of nature are; the best kind of working environment!

04/06/2026

02/06/2026

IN CONVERSATION WITH.. RUPERT ISAACSON

The Brand New Episode

Episode 29

This week Amy and Ross are joined by author, journalist, classical horse trainer and founder of the Horse Boy Method, Rupert Isaacson.

Born in London to Southern African parents with an expansive ancestral lineage, Rupert Isaacson is the best-selling author of ‘The Horse Boy’, ‘The Long Ride Home’ and founder of The Horse Boy Method, a science based intervention for Autism and ADHD that improves academic, behavioural and social goals through equine assisted methods focused on re-patterning the brain and calming the nervous system, combining movement and nature with horses.

In a warm and genuine conversation, Rupert talks about his early-life experiences as a journalist and ancestral connections that paved the way to his experiences in shamanism from a young age, from the shape-shifting Bushman of Southern Africa to the the Shamans of Mongolia.

Most famously told in his novel 'The Horse Boy' of Rupert's journey to the Sharmans of the steppe to heal his son, Rowan, we talk about how this experience changed his work with horses, how classical training has become pivotal to his equine-assisted programmes, and of course, how the awareness of autism has changed since Rowan began that journey.

To find out more on the work of Rupert Isaacson, visit https://rupertisaacson.com/, http:www/ntls.co and www.longridehome.com

Streaming now on all platforms including Amazon Music, Apple Podcasts, Podbean, Spotify, Youtube & More!

Listen here: https://littlehorsebigconversation.podbean.com

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The Horse Boy
Long Ride Home
Areion Academy
Rosca Horsemanship
The Little Horse Big Conversation Podcast

01/06/2026

Look for the positives, first.

The human brain has a negativity bias.

From an evolutionary perspective, the primary role of the brain is to keep us safe from threats, both real or perceived. Due to the way it is designed and the role of the nervous system, the brain is consistently scanning for threat; as the brain has developed over thousands of years to allow a greater capacity for executive function, this has created an evolutionary bias about how the way we talk to ourselves, how we took to others and what we look for.

It is much easier for the human mind to find the faults, look for flaws and see the negatives within a situation.

However, re-training the mind to ‘think positive first’ can be done by anyone, to the benefit of everyone.

Whenever I show up for a session, be a training session, a coaching lesson or to commence a bodywork treatment, I will always look for the positives within that situation, no matter the circumstances or how troublesome that may be.

This by no means is to imply the hard-core promotion of ‘toxic positivity’ or a lack of realism in a situation, it sets the tone of how I want that conversation to start.

I have recognised two things over the years:

1) People receive unnecessary criticism that is not constructive, applied appropriately or well-intended.

2) Horses receive unnecessary criticism that is not conducive, understood or self-serving of the human.

Constructive critique is part of the learning experience of which we need to be open to hear in order to improve, and the way it is done means more to the horse and human in-front of you than you might think.

Starting from a place of positivity, be that through the wording used or the experience as a whole activates certain areas of the brain that can influence thoughts, feelings and behaviour in a more positive direction.

The awareness need not always be what we are seeing with our own eyes, but the shape of what our own thoughts cause us to see first.

This month start with the positives, first. The improvements, second.

19/05/2026

PAIN, PERFORMANCE & PERSPECTIVES

The Brand New Episode

Episode 28

During the latest episode, your co-hosting duo bring the focus to the wide-reaching subject of equine pain, condensing this subject in to an informative and thought provoking conversation on the subject of pain.

Together, Ross and Amy discuss some of the science behind what pain is, some of the physical and postural presentations you might see alongside the challenges faced as an equine professional and the broader considerations of the ethics involved.

Streaming now on all platforms including Amazon Music, Apple Podcasts, Podbean, Spotify & More!
Listen here:

https://littlehorsebigconversation.podbean.com

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Areion Academy
Rosca Horsemanship
Little Horse Big Conversation Podcast

08/05/2026

What is on your read pile right now?

I really enjoy reading and ensure I safeguard, even if it is a little, time each day to make some headway on what is at the top.

I am currently between Heal Your Nervous System by Dr Linnea Passaler, which is a book I like to dip in and out of over the years, and Dr Steve Peters latest book The Neuroscience of Ethical Horsemanship.

A friend sent me a quote a while back by Matthew Kelly which, to excerpt part of this, said:

“Some books find us at just the right time in our lives and those books change our lives forever”

Like most things in life, I feel we find books and read them at the time we will get the most out of the worlds

That is also an excellent justification for adding more to the bookcase!

05/05/2026

IN CONVERSATION WITH.. ROSE WALDRUP, WALDRUP SOMATIC METHOD

The Brand New Episode

Episode 27

This week Amy and Ross are talking canine, equine and the nervous system and are excited to be joined by Rose Waldrup of the Waldrup Somatic Method for canines.

Founder of the Waldrup Somatic Method, a pioneering, nervous system based approach to working with dogs that shifts the focus from behaviour to regulation, the work of Rose Waldrup bridges somatic theory, neuroscience and the human-canine relationship to help dogs move from survival to safety and connection.

During this episode they explore how behaviour can be misunderstood and is a reflection of the nervous system, the difference between training and regulation, how dogs mirror the nervous system of humans states and what this means for connection and the role of safety, consent and co-regulation in healing.

The exploration and contrasts between the human, canine and equine nervous system that are explored in this episode are a sure-fire eye opener, whether your interest is humans, canine or equine.

Rose regularly works with rescue dogs, high-arousal and shutdown cases, collaborating with shelters and organisations across the United States where she is based.

To find out more on the Waldrup Somatic Method including free resources and courses visit www.waldrupsomaticmethod.com

Streaming now on all platforms including Amazon Music, Apple Podcasts, Podbean, Spotify & More!

Listen here:
https://littlehorsebigconversation.podbean.com

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Areion Academy
Rosca Horsemanship
Waldrup Somatic Method
Little Horse Big Conversation Podcast

04/05/2026

My clinic schedule for the remainder of 2026 is now online!

All events can now be found listed on the website and events section of the page, with one or two further dates being added to the schedule over the coming months.

June 7th 2026 - Working Equitation Clinic: Ease of Handling w/ Rosca Horsemanship at Derby College Equestrian Centre

July 5th 2026 - A Day at.. Collingham Horse Adventure Park w/ Rosca Horsemanship 2026

July 26th 2026 - Finding Your Connection Clinic w/ Rosca Horsemanship at Professional Equine Services, Newark, Notts

August 9th 2026 - A Weekend Camp At.. Collingham Horse Adventure Park w/ Rosca Horsemanship 2026 (FULLY BOOKED)

August 23rd 2026 - Groundwork & Ridden Clinic w/ Rosca Horsemanship at Stubley Hollow Farm, North Derbyshire

September 6th 2026 - The Little Horse Big Conversation Podcast: THE BIG DAY OUT

October 4th 20206 - Clinic at Professional Equine Services

October 18th 2026 - The Confidence In Obstacles Clinic w/ Rosca Horsemanship at Derby College Equestrian Centre

November 9th 2026 - TBC Workshop at Derby College Equestrian Centre

December 14th 2026 - Understanding Equine Behaviour at Derby College Equestrian Centre

I will also be announcing two exciting events for 2027 around the Summer Solstice in June ☀

As ever, if you are interested in hosting a private or public clinic, demonstration or workshop within the UK or abroad with in the future, or you would like to book a place on those listed above, please get in touch at [email protected].

01/05/2026

Happy Beltane 🏵

Beltane signifies height of Spring and the beginning of Summer, with May commonly known as the 'Merry Month'

During this time, people traditionally dress in green to honour the nature spirits of the earth, and just like Samhain, the energies are at their most active and the veil, thin.

Whether you see Beltane as spiritual, cultural or, after the weather we have had today, a beautiful Spring night, it is a significant time for growth, creativity and to celebrate the life that we have.

Beltane is a time of possibilities, to reach out for what you want and leave behind what no longer is helping you.

As Beltane falls on the night of a fall moon, the first since 1988, I think it makes tonight a little extra special.

Blessed Be 🙏⭐